I've been backpacking regularly in the Rockies since 1986. I do at
least one weeklong trip every summer, and often take three-day trips.
I'm usually camping in alpine terrain, at altitudes 5000 to 10000 ft
(1500-3000 m). I prefer base camp backpacking, a long hike in with day
trips from camp. Recently I've been actively reducing my pack weight,
but still sleep in a floored tent and often include my favorite camp
conveniences. Outdoor activities in winter are often on telemark or
touring skis.

INITIAL REPORT - November 17, 2012

THE SOCKS

Dahlgren's Backpacking socks are crew length (over-the-ankle) wool
socks listed by
that company as "Heavy Weight" and intended for, well,
backpacking. In addition to Dahlgren's signature use of alpaca
these socks feature its new Dri-Stride technology. To summarize
from Dahlgren's website, Dri-Stride employs Wicking Rings and Wicking
Channels (both of these are patented and trademarked) in the Transfer
Zone - the fabric encircling the arch/instep area of the sock - to
increase significantly the wicking from the Absorption Zones
(heel and toe). The different areas of the sock have different
fabric content, presumably to facilitate wicking and add strength. The
toe and heel [solid brown in the photo below] are 55% merino wool, 28%
nylon, 17% alpaca; the
arch/instep and Wicking Rings [double-knit flecked tan, then oblong pattern] 70% recycled polyester 17%
merino, 8% nylon, 5% alpaca; and
the upper [tan "striped"] 75% recycled polyester, 23% nylon, 2%
Spandex. From a diagram on the tag attached to the socks (which I tried
unsuccessfully to copy) Dri-Stride works by having each sock's construction drive the wicked-away
perspiration to the transfer zone and up to the top of the sock for
evaporation.

Details:

Manufacturer: Dahlgren Footwear, Inc.
Website: http://www.dahlgrenfootwear.com
Product: Backpacking socks [located in Dahlgren's "Outdoor/Hiking" category]
Size: XL [for Men's US 11-13; also available in L for 8-10˝]
Color: Bark [the only color for size L; also available in XL in Moss or Pitch]
Weight, measured: 4.0 oz (113 g) per pair
Height, measured heel to top: 9.5 in (24 cm)
MSRP: $20.95 US
Country of origin: All Dahlgren socks are made "exclusively" in the United States.
Warranty: I couldn't find one on Dahlgren's website, though the company
does provide instructions on returns and suggests that it will replace
defective products. Customer pays for return to Dahlgren's facility in
Oregon.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

"Cozy" may not be a word often associated with backpacking gear, but
it's the best one-word description of these socks. The alpaca
makes these socks exceptionally soft against my skin, and they have
kept my feet warm on a couple of chilly days around the house and on my
daily walks with my dog. Another first impression is that these
are relatively thick for crew-length socks, which in my experience more closely resemble street-wear bulk in this category.

Fit is good, in fact just about perfect, with my heel sitting flush
inside the heel of the sock, even though I am at the upper end of
Dahlgren's stated size range. The socks come several inches/centimeters
above the cuff of the boots (one pair full-grain leather, one pair
GORE-TEX) I ordinarily wear when hiking or snowshoeing in winter.
The same is true of my ski touring boots, but, alas, the socks are too
short to wear with either my telemark or randonče ski boots. Fit is
tight but not constraining at the top of the socks.

These socks are so comfortable that but for this test and my reporting
obligations I'd be tempted to limit their use to the front
country. But I'll do my best to put them through their outdoor
paces, when hiking, snowshoeing, and ski touring this winter in the
Rockies.

LONG TERM REPORT - March 21, 2013

FIELD CONDITIONS

I have worn my Dahlgren Backpacking socks on all or a portion of
about twenty days since filing my Initial Report. This includes some
limited everyday wear, but I tried to reserve the Dahlgrens for outdoor
activities. Included were three weekend overnight hikes to nearby
US Forest Service cabins, twice on snowshoes and once on cross-country
skis; perhaps a dozen days when cross-country skiing either at a local
ranch or hiking trails; some local hikes on snowshoes; and treks with
my dog on the roads and trails near my house.

When wearing snowshoes I wore the Dahlgrens with the Chaco Tedinho
Waterproof Boots that I have also been testing. (These boots are
pictured in my Initial Report.) Most hikes were also in the
Tedinhos, though occasionally I wore trail runners. When cross-country
skiing I wore standard classic ski boots, a bit higher and stiffer
than the Tedinhos. On a few of the ski trips I wore the Dahlgrens over
thin liner socks to reduce the blister risk as my cross-country boots
are a bit loose in the heel. I didn't add the liners for any reason
related to the Dahlgrens' performance.

It's safe to say that I encountered snow on every outing. My home base
of Bridger Canyon, just north and east of Bozeman, has been covered
with snow since early December. The only relief has been slush caused
by somewhat higher temperatures over the past ten days or so. Outside
temperatures have ranged from about -5 to 45 F (-23 to 8 C) and weather
has been most frequently overcast with occasional snow showers, though
I've met with heavy snow and clear sunny days from time to time.

Most of the time I've washed the Dahlgrens with other socks and wool
garments, in my front-loading washer with non-detergent soap and cold
water, followed by drying in the dryer on medium heat. Usually I remembered to wash and dry socks inside out. On one overnight
I stepped into a puddle in the cabin, wearing only the socks on my
feet. I immediately rinsed them with clean water and air-dried them
over the stove. Home washings usually took place after two or three
days' wearing the socks for outdoor activities.
PERFORMANCE

Fit.
These socks still fit well, as well as the first time I put
them on. I suspect that the sectional Dri-Stride technology has
something to do with this. Separating the socks into segments that
are then stitched together minimizes or eliminates distortion. Whatever
the reason, I haven't noticed any stretching of the toe-to-heel portion
of a sock that, with some other socks I've worn, extends the heel cup.
This bothersome phenomenon accelerates wear and facilitates unhealthy
foot
movement inside the sock. The photo at left, by itself or compared to
the top photo in my Initial Report, shows no significant (even
insignificant) change from the socks' brand-new shape. Of particular
importance is the wicking rings' retaining their narrower profile,
which helps hold the socks in place when I'm wearing them. The fact
that I haven't had a blister, even
when wearing my slightly-too-wide-at-the-heel cross-country boots,
bears
out this observation and is the top compliment to the socks.

Warmth. They're still cozy - soft and warm. Because I've been testing
the Tedinho boots, this winter my boots have been somewhat less
insulated than those I have worn in the past. But my feet have stayed
warm when wearing the Dahlgrens, with or without a silk liner. This has
been most noticeable during non-athletic use, such as watching the
collegiate regional cross-country ski championships at nearby Bohart
Ranch on a windy, 15 F/-10 C day. I sense cold feet more when I'm
standing around than when I'm hiking or skiing. Thanks to the
Dahlgrens, no problem during those chilly three hours. If anything I'm
worried that the Backpacking socks might be too warm for summer hiking
wear. (If that turns out to be the case I have another use for them in
warmer weather - see The Bottom Line below.)

Wicking. The Dahlgrens are slightly damp when I remove them after a
hike or ski. That hasn't approached saturation or even an instance when
my feet felt damp immediately after exercise, such as a rest stop after
a climb on skis. Entirely satisfactory performance.

Odor Management. After a few days' wear without a wash the Dahlgrens
have a bit of odor, but much less than other socks I've tried that have
a lower wool content. Air-drying them overnight, either at home in my
basement (about 50 F/10 C) or in the Forest Service Cabin (32-40 F/0-4
C after the woodstove fire died down) has eliminated the odor.

Durability. As noted and pictured above, these socks have kept their integrity
notwithstanding continued use and several machine washings and drying
during the past four months. Even more impressively, I can detect no
wear at the top of the heel from rubbing against my boots or
shoes. That's the good news (and I deem it very good news). Less
than good news is a bit of pilling on the upper portion of the socks,
faintly visible in the photo above. This surprised me, as it hasn't occurred
with several other pairs of Dahlgren socks that I've owned for a couple
of years. What's especially odd is that the pilling is on the outside
of the socks, which most of the time is not exposed to other items in
the dryer. I consider this a minor defect that so far hasn't impacted performance.

The Bottom Line. The Dahlgren Backpacking socks have been excellent
all-around performance socks for winter outdoor activities here in the
Northern Rocky Mountains. I have no complaints regarding their use when
hiking, snowshoeing, or skiing. As is true of my other Dahlgren socks,
their stickout feature, to my feet at least, is how soft and warm they
are. The alpaca really shines through. For this reason I have often
used my other Dahlgren socks (also solid performers when hiking) as my
sleep socks in the backcountry, a pair of socks in my kit that are
only worn in my sleeping bag or around camp, or maybe on the last day of hiking. The Backpacking socks may
fill the same important niche, though I'm going to see how well they do as hiking socks when the weather warms up.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT

My Test Report ends here, with thanks to Dahlgren and
BackpackGearTest.org for the chance to test these socks.

Product tested and reviewed in each Formal Test Report has been provided free of charge by the manufacturer to BackpackGearTest.org. Upon completion of the Test Series the writer is permitted to keep the product. Owner Reviews are based on product owned by the reviewer personally unless otherwise noted.